A Walk Down Back

I look down back from the Studio/Gallery every day but I hadn't walked through the pines for a while to what some have called "the million dollar view". There was just a little snow that recently fell at night and in the morning the sky was a beautiful blue with little puffy clouds drifting in the brisk air. Walking the short distance through the pines I'm always aware I might see an owl which I had the surprise of experiencing twice before.

At the end there are two adirondack chairs that are so comfortable to sit in with the summer breeze and just relax. There is a beautiful view of the rolling farm hills to the river and next to the Connecticut Audobon which is celebrating it's 25th year. I painted a planter box for them which will be auctioned off in their May 1st celebration. I'll be writing more information about this in another article soon.

Visit the studio/gallery and maybe take a walk down back too but please call first to be sure I am in.

Marblehead Summer Day

Summer days are a few months away but they will come and winter will just be a distant memory. All the little seconds of life add up to the future. Crocker Park overlooking the beautiful harbor, is just the thing to take your mind off the cold time of winter. It was Uriel Crocker, a 19th century book publisher, who in 1886, gave this land to the town to become Marblehead's first public park. Just imagine the experience of sitting on one of several benches each with a fanastic view or just on the rocks and relax taking in the sights, sounds and the refreshing salt air breeze. Another classic view is the original settlement area of town called Barnegat which overlooks Brown's Island and Little Harbor. This house is a favorite for so many to photograph and paint. Walk the history of a few old granite steps down to the beach and see this peaceful scene enjoyed over the years. It's still the same to me when I used to buy penny candy at Aunt Sadie's across the Street. Scroll down and read my story that was published in the newspaper, Country Register in '06.

At the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper Street, I show paintings and other work of Marblehead in the gift shop. There is even a coffee mug that has an image of Crocker Park, Abbot Hall, the lighthouse and sailboats. The mug is also available at the museum shop at Abbot Hall where the famous painting of the Spirit of '76 is.

This is the 85th year of the founding of the Association with special coming events I look forward to letting you know about in the months ahead.

Another use of the Christmas Tree

I know Christmas is over and the tree eventually drys up and looses a lot of needles on the way out of the house. Our tree looked very dry with the branches dropping down even though it was watered every day. I wanted to extend the use of our tree so I dug a hole near the back kitchen window. I then sprinkled it with seeds and peanuts to watch the different birds gather in and out of the branches. I was surprised to see that the tree liked this as well because all the hanging down branches perked right up again with the help of a few days of rain. All the birds seem to really enjoy searching around the tree for the many seeds.

We had the first snow of the winter here in Glastonbury but it all melted in a couple of hours. By not having to use the snow blower, I've been able to work on painting more. Last year I did about 350 different pieces of artwork and have already done 16 this year so far. Some have sold already but if you have a chance to visit nearby Old Wethersfield, Connecticut, I have work available at the shop "Antiques on Main". There are a few pieces of tin and several paintings displayed in the shop. It's right next to the firehouse. Of course there is also my gallery with many examples of different work. If you like country , then you'll enjoy the gallery full of my folk art.

Memorable Wayside Inn Class

On Saturday,January 13th and Sunday,January 14th, I taught thirty students where we all had an enjoyable class painting "Yellow House Farm". We started the day with the Inn's muffins and pastry, tea and coffee by the fireplace. Then we all got ready around 9:30AM going over the packet of instructions and preparing the canvas. At noon luncheon was served and all eighteen students were then ready to sit by the fireplace in the old kitchen for a five course meal. We then returned to the class in the Ford Room of the Inn, where we eventually completed the painting about 4:00PM. There were seven out of eighteen that had never painted before and succeeded with their painting. The Sunday class was just twelve and a lot of fun as well with everyone completing their painting.
As one student wrote to me she said....."The Inn was beautiful, the food was fabulous and the instruction was the best." I hope that you too have this opportunity sometime to join the many that have taken a class and gone home with a painting and a memory of a special day.

December Fog & Snow

There was quite a bit of fog December 21st until the sun tried so hard to come through late in the day. I couldn't even see the horses that I bring carrots to but there are two somewhere in the fog. Sometimes I pick a bagful of some nice sweet green grass that is still growing. I thought by now I could be cross country sking but there's still plenty of time for that. For now I'll just have to gaze at my last year's snow bound fields and dream.

December Sunset

I saw the sun setting outside my studio and before I could get the camera, the sun had disappeared to this beautiful crimson/orange glow. I was fortunate to capture the hawk observing from the tree and it seemed very peaceful watching me.There are birds of all kinds here living next to the Connecticut Audubon with the rolling hills to the river . This is one of many beautiful views to enjoy here next to the Old Cider Mill.

Time of Change

I rearranged the gallery here in Glastonbury where there is much to see. There are many examples of my work from paintings to tins and wood accents with many more being worked on. If you enjoy folk art and want to see original unique work I invite you to visit. Just call first to be sure I am in at 860-633-7707.

December 27th,06, was a day of change after twenty years at Salt Marsh Antiques in Rowley, on the North Shore of Boston,where I have exhibited my folk art paintings, decorated furniture, prints, cards, tin pieces, mural samples to name a few works of art. I had help from Mary, Rob and my wife Janice packing everything in just about two and a half hours. We then went for lunch in Newburyport. Janice then mentioned I had to get to Manchester for business at the printers which I entirely forgot. Manchester is such a nice little town with beautiful seaside vistas. I noticed a place to have hot chocolate when we were leaving town and thought it had a cozy warmth having candles on the tables. It seemed just the right touch to take a break before our trip back to Connecticut. Write to me if you would like to know just where this place is.
For now, please visit the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper Street in Marblehead where I continue to have different work in the gift shop. Marblehead is my hometown where there is a rich history and tradition that influenced my earlier days drawing harbor scenes and old buildings around town. I'm from M.H.S. class of '63 . .............Seems like yesterday.

I also have paintings exhibited at the 1640 Hart House restaurant on Linebrook Road in Ipswich.